According to local press reports, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has approved Lafarge’s request to burn plastics and shingles at its Alpena plant in northern Michigan.
The DEQ approved the permit following the conclusion that the fuel emissions shouldn’t have any health effects on the residents living in areas surrounding the plant. Tests conducted at Lafarge showed that burning the materials produces air toxins below the DEQ’s threshold levels.
The new permit will allow Lafarge to burn approximately 65 000 tpa of plastics and 26 000 tpa of asphalt shingles in kilns with pollution controls at its Alpena plant.
Lafarge and Solidia Technologies have formed a partnership to develop technology to reduce precast concrete’s environmental footprint on a commercial scale.
Lafarge is creating the potential for increased shipping traffic along the Saginaw River following the acquisition of two docks in Saginaw and Bay City.